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Libyan Air Force (1951–2011)

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For the air force of Libya's National Transitional Council, see Free Libyan Air Force. For the current Libyan air force, see Libyan Air Force (2011–present).
Libyan People's Air Force
Ilyushin Il-76TD of the Air Force of Libya
Active 1951 – 2011
Country Flag of Libya (1951) Kingdom of Libya /
Flag of Libya (1977-2011) Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Allegiance Kingdom of Libya 1951–1969
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 1969–2011
Type Air Force
Size 3,000 personnel
Headquarters Okba Ben Nafi Air Base, aka Mitiga International Airport, near Tripoli
Equipment 606 aircraft
Engagements Six-Day War
Yom Kippur War
Libyan–Egyptian War
Chadian–Libyan conflict
Gulf of Sidra incident (1981)
Gulf of Sidra incident (1989)
Libyan civil war
Insignia
Roundel Roundel of Libya (1977-2011)
Fin Flash Flag of Libya (1977-2011)
Aircraft flown
Attack Su-22, J-21, Mi-14, Mi-24, Bell 206
Bomber Su-24, Tu-22
Fighter MiG-21, MiG-23, Mirage F1
Trainer SF-260, L-39, G-2, Yak-130
Transport An-26, Falcon 20, Falcon 50, Gulfstream II, Il-76, L-410, C-130, Il-78 Midas, Bell 212, CH-47, Mi-8

The Libyan Air Force (Arabic language: القوات الجوية الليبية‎) was the branch of the Libyan armed forces responsible for aerial warfare. In 2010, before the Libyan civil war, the Libyan Air Force personnel strength was estimated at 18,000, with an inventory of 374 combat capable aircraft[1] operating from 13 military airbases in Libya.[2]

The air force was first established as the Royal Libyan Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Malakiya al Libiyya) in 1951. It was originally equipped with a small number of transports and trainers: Douglas C-47s and Lockheed T-33s. However, F-5 Freedom Fighters were delivered from 1967. In 1970 it changed its name to the Libyan Arab Republic Air Force. After U.S. forces left Libya in 1970, Wheelus Air Base, a previous U.S. facility about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from Tripoli, became a LAR Air Force installation and was renamed Okba Ben Nafi Air Base. The base housed the LARAF's headquarters and a large share of its major training facilities. From 1970 a very large expansion of the air force took place, with a grand number of Soviet and some French combat aircraft being purchased.

History[]

Cold War[]

F-4N of VF-51 intercepts Libyan Tu-22 1977

A U.S. Navy McDonnell F-4N Phantom II intercepts a Soviet-built Tupolev Tu-22 "Blinder" bomber being delivered to the Libyan Arab Republic, circa April 1977.

During May 1967 the Kingdom of Libya reached an agreement with the United States to supply 10 Northrop F-5s to the Royal Libyan Air Force.[3] These were the first fighters for the young Air Force which only operated at the time six Douglas C-47 transports and three Lockheed T-33A trainers. Fifty-six personnel underwent training at bases in the U.S., pilots at Williams Air Force Base; a U.S. Survey Team on Expansion came to Libya in August 1968 to supervise the introduction of the fighters. Serviceability of the F-5s declined after the 1969 coup and it appears that most may have eventually been sold to Turkey.

LARAF Soviet-made MiG-17/19/25 fighters and Tu-22 bombers were based at Okba Ben Nafi Air Base. After the 1969 seizure of power by Colonel Gaddafi, aircraft and personnel of the Soviet Air Force took residence at Okba Ben Nafi Air Base. With Soviet assistance, the Libyan Arab Republic Air Force was organized into one medium bomber squadron with Tupolev Tu-22s, three fighter interceptor squadrons, five forward ground attack squadrons, one counter-insurgency squadron, nine helicopter squadrons, and three air defense brigades deploying SA-2, SA-3, and Crotale missiles.[4] Of the combat aircraft, the United States Department of State estimated in 1983 that 50 percent remained in storage, including most of the MiG fighters and Tu-22 bombers. In 1971, 11 civilian C-130's were delivered by the United States and converted in Italy to military versions. Four L-100-30's were purchased from the Philippines and Luxembourg in 1981. In 1976, 20 CH-47 Chinook heavy transport helicopters were acquired from Italy, 14 of which were transferred to the army during the 1990s.

Libyan MiG-25 in flight c1985

A Jamahiriya Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25.

The Libyan Arab Republic Air Force operated a large number of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25s, some sources say more than 60 were delivered. Types were of the MiG-25PD, MiG-25RBK, MiG-25PU and MiG-25RU variants. They were operated by No. 1025 Squadron at Jufra-Hun, No. 1055 Squadron at Ghardabiya and an unidentified squadron at Sabha Air Base.[5] As of February 2007 Air Forces Monthly reported all aircraft of the type had been retired.[6] In addition, Dassault Mirage 5 aircraft bought shortly after Gaddafi took power were also retired by 2008, becoming used for Pakistan Air Force spares.[7]

F-4J of VF-74 with Libyan MiG-23 over Gulf of Sidra 1981

A U.S. Navy McDonnell F-4J Phantom II of Fighter Squadron VF-74 Be-Devilers escorting a Libyan Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 over Gulf of Sidra in August 1981.

During the Libyan–Egyptian War in 1977 there were some skirmishes between Libyan and Egyptian fighters. Two LARAF MiG-23MS engaged two upgraded EAF MiG-21MF and one MiG-23MS was shot down by EAF Maj. Sal Mohammad.[citation needed] The air force was also involved in combat against Tanzania in 1979 as part of the Uganda–Tanzania War to help its Ugandan allies, with a single Tu-22 flying an unsuccessful bombing mission against the town of Mwanza.[citation needed] In the 1970s and '80s Libyan MiGs and Tupolevs were common visitors to international airspace, close to Italy and NATO bases. On 19 July 1980, a Libyan People's Air Force MiG-23 crashed on the Sila Mountains in Castelsilano, Calabria, southern Italy.[8] On 27 June 1980 an Italian plane exploded while en route from Bologna to Palermo, off the island of Ustica.[citation needed]

The LPAF lost a total of four aircraft to United States Navy F-14 Tomcats in two incidents over the Gulf of Sidra, in 1981[9] and 1989. In addition, many planes were destroyed or damaged on the ground in 1986 when American planes attacked targets at Benghazi and Tripoli airports.

The air force was extensively used in the fighting in Chad in the 1980s, in support of Libyan ground units. It was reported that many Libyan People's Air Force bombing raids were carried out at excessively high altitudes when met with anti-aircraft fire, so the attacks were not very effective. On 17 February 1986, in retaliation for the Ouadi Doum air raid by the French air force, a single LPAF Tu-22B attacked the airport at N'Djamena. That aircraft ran into technical problems on its return journey – American early warning reconnaissance planes based in Sudan monitored distress calls sent by the pilot of the Tu-22 which probably crashed before reaching its base at Aouzou (maybe hit by twin-tubes that fired at it from N'Djamena airport).[10] One Tu-22 bomber was shot down by a captured SA-6 missile during a Chadian attack on an abandoned Libyan base on 8 August 1987. Another Tu-22 was lost on 7 September 1987, when a battery of French MIM-23 Hawk SAMs shot down one of the two LPAF bombers that were attacking N'Djamena.

The Chadians seized the Ouadi Doum base in 1987 and destroyed or captured two SF.260s, three Mil Mi-25s, two Tu-22B bombers, eleven L-39 jets, two complete 9K33 Osa (SA-8) SAM batteries,[11] and a plethora of additional equipment, weapons, supplies and ammunition – a good deal of which was flown out to France and the United States within the next five days. Four USAF C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft were sent to N'Djamena to collect the captured Jamahiriya equipment. On 5 September 1987 Chadian technicals crossed into Libya and attacked the Maaten al-Sarra Air Base which is 96.5 kilometres (60.0 mi) within Libyan territory. The battle of Maaten al-Sarra was a major victory for Chad and several LPAF aircraft were destroyed on the ground with only minor Chadian casualties.[12]

On 8 October 1987, an LPAF Su-22M-22K was shot down by a FIM-92A Stinger missile in northern Chad. The pilot, Capt. Diya al-Din, ejected and was captured. The LPAF immediately organized a recovery operation; subsequently a Jamahiriya MiG-23 Flogger was also shot down by another Stinger. In December 1988 a Libyan People's Air Force SF.260 was shot down over northern Chad by Chadian troops.

By contrast, the considerable Jamahiriya cargo plane fleet was apparently employed effectively in Chad and elsewhere.[citation needed]

Post–Cold War to Libyan civil war[]

Libyan Air Force Sukhoi Su-22M3 Lofting

Former LARAF Sukhoi Su-22M3 Fitter-H

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the elimination of military aid by the new Russian Federation, Soviet/Russian support was drastically curtailed. The last major delivery of Soviet aircraft to the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya was of 15 Su-24 Fencers in March/April 1989.

The Libyan armed forces' air doctrine of the 1990s and 2000s appeared to be of an ad hoc nature, and contracted personnel from Yugoslavia, South Africa, Russia, North Korea and Pakistan provided piloting, maintenance and technical services.[citation needed]

The 1990s drop in oil prices and a UN embargo made purchase of modern equipment almost impossible. UN sanctions were lifted in early 1999 and the Libyan People's Air Force started prospective negotiations with Russia about upgrades for its MiG-21s and MiG-25s while also expressing an interest in MiG-29s, MiG-31s and long-range SAMs. However, many of the transport and combat aircraft were in storage.[citation needed]

In January 2008 the Jamahiriya bought 4 ATR-42MP maritime patrol aircraft from Italy’s Alenia.

Before 2011, the LPAF MiG-21s did not fly at all due to reported serviceability issues and of 170 MiG-23s delivered, only 30-50 were believed to be flyable aircraft. Those ratios may have been similar for several other platforms.[citation needed]

Libyan civil war / NATO intervention[]

See also: Free Libyan Air Force

During the Libyan civil war, Libyan People's Air Force warplanes and attack helicopters launched repeated airstrikes on protesters, reportedly targeting a funeral procession and a group of protesters trying to reach an army base.[13][14] On 21 February 2011, two senior LPAF pilots defected – they flew their Mirage F1 fighter jets to Malta and requested political asylum after defying orders to bomb protesters.[15]

On 23 February 2011, pilot Abdessalam Attiyah al-Abdali and co-pilot Ali Omar al-Kadhafi – crew of a Sukhoi-22 – ejected with parachutes near Ajdabiya, 161 kilometres (100 mi) west of Benghazi, after refusing orders to bomb the city of Benghazi.[16] Anti-Gaddafi forces and Syrian opposition groups claim that Syrian pilots were flying attacks for the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.[17] Rebels claimed to have shot down Jamahiriya jets over Brega and Ra's Lanuf.[18]

At Brega a Mirage F-1 was shot down and at Ra's Lanuf a Sukhoi Su-24 bomber and a helicopter (probably a Mi-24) were also forced down. Exactly how many and what types of aircraft have been shot down were not confirmed by Jamahiriya government or independent sources. Using air power, the Libyan military checked the opposition advance westwards, towards Bin Jawad in early March.[19] On 13 March 2011, Ali Atiyya, a colonel of the Libyan People's Air Force at the Mitiga military airport, near Tripoli, announced that he had defected and joined the revolution.[20] Rebels claimed to have shot down what appeared to be a MiG-21 outside of Bohadi. On 17 March, a Jamahiriya Su-22M-3K was shot down over Benina AB, the pilot ejected safely and was captured.[21] On 17 March, a "Free Libya Air Force" MiG-21UM crashed after take off from Benina airport due to technical problems. It was flown from Ghardabiya Air Base near Sirte to Benina by a defecting pilot the day before.[22]

On 19 March 2011, a rebel MiG-23BN was shot down over Benghazi by rebel air defence forces in a case of mistaken identity.[23] The pilot ejected, but at a very low altitude, and was reported to have been killed as a result.[24][25] BBC News reported on 20 March that the rebel aircraft was shot down by its own air defenses[26]

Ghardabiya Airfield - Damaged Aircraft Shelters - Operation Odyssey Dawn

Damage to the Libyan People's Air Force airfield Ghardabiya after being attacked by coalition aircraft, 20 March 2011

Two days later, the UN Security Council adopted United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 which legitimised the operation. U.S. and British warships launched more than 120 Tomahawk cruise missiles against Jamahiriya air defences and four U.S. B-2 stealth bombers attacked several airfields.[27]

On 23 March 2011, British Air Vice-Marshal Greg Bagwell was quoted by the BBC saying that the Libyan People's Air Force "no longer exists as a fighting force" and that Libyan air defenses had been damaged to the extent that NATO forces could now operate over Libyan airspace "with impunity."[28] On 24 March 2011 several media sources reported that a French Dassault Rafale destroyed a G-2 Galeb near Misrata. Initial reports of the French action said the LPAF plane, a G-2/Galeb with a single engine, was in the air when it was hit. French military spokesman Col. Thierry Burkhard later said the plane had just landed when the attack took place.

On 26 March 2011, the French Air Force reported that five Soko G-2 Galeb aircraft were destroyed on the ground at Misrata airport together with two Mi-35 helicopters,[29] but satellite images showed that the five fixed wing aircraft were MiG-23s.[30]

A Belgian Air Force F-16 hit a Libyan People's Air Force Su-22M-3K plane on the ground during an operation on 27 March.[31]

On 7 May 2011, after weeks of complete inactivity, the Libyan People's Air Force conducted a successful air raid over the rebel-held fuel depots at Misrata setting them on fire. The rebels reported that the raid was conducted with crop dusting aircraft, but probably SF.260 light attack aircraft were used taking off from Misrata airport. NATO failed to intercept the bombing mission.[32]

Following the defeat of forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi and the rebel victory in October 2011, the no fly zone was lifted and two grounded Jamahiriya air force Mirages that had been based in Malta after their pilots refused orders to bomb the opposition during the civil war, were to be returned to Libya in February 2012.[33] The jets were finally returned to Libya on 21 February 2012, exactly a year to the day after they defected.[34]

Military airports / Civil War[]

Military airforce bases include:[35]

  • Mitiga (near Tripoli): formerly USAF Wheelus Air Base, later "Okba Ben Nafi" when used by Soviet Air Force. Damaged by Coalition air and missile strikes on 20 and 21 March, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Maaten al-Sarra Air Base south of Libya, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Benina (near Benghazi), under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Misrata Airport, damaged by coalition air strikes on 25 and 26 March and under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Ghardabiya Air Base Map near Sirte, damaged by Coalition air and missile strikes on 20 and 21 March, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Ghadames Airport, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Sabha Air Base, damaged by coalition air strikes on 21 March, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Bayda, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Tobruk, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • El Ademe, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Ghat Airport, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Al Jufra Air Base attacked by French Air Force on 24 March, under anti-Gaddafi forces control

Air force equipment at the time of the civil war[]

Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service Notes
Dassault Mirage F1 Flag of France France Multi role fighter Mirage F1BD/ED 3 32 delivered in the 1970s, most of them have disappeared. Some were based at Gamal Abdul El Nasser Air Base, south of Tobruk. In 2007, Dassault Aviation was awarded a contract to put 12 remaining airframes back into flying condition. Only four had been refitted.[36]

Two were flown to Malta on 21 February 2011 by pilots who, by their account, chose to apply for asylum after being instructed to bomb protesters.[37] On 9 January 2012, Libyan technicians and the pilots who flew the aircraft to Malta returned to the island on an An-26 to prepare the aircraft for their flight back to Libya.[38]

One shot down by anti-Gaddafi forces on 3 March 2011.[39]

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Trainer/interceptor MiG-21UM/bis/MF 23 Most are grounded.

On 15 March 2011, one MiG-21bis and one MiG-21UM landed at Benina airport flown by defecting LPAF pilots who joined the rebellion.[21]
On 17 March 2011, a "Free Libyan Air Force" MiG-21UM crashed after take off from Benina airport due to technical problems. It was flown from Ghardabiya Air Base near Sirte to Benina by a defecting pilot the day before.[22]

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Ground attack/interceptor/trainer MiG-23BN/MS/ML/UB 109 Most are grounded.

Civil war in February and March: at least four captured by rebels at Benina air base near Benghazi.
February and March 2011: Four captured by rebels in hangar at Misrata Airport. One captured by rebels at Brak.[40]
On 15 March 2011, a rebel website reported that opposition forces started using a captured MiG-23 and a helicopter to sink two loyalist ships and to bomb some tank positions.[41][42]
On 19 March 2011, a rebel Free Libyan Air Force MiG-23BN was shot down over Benghazi.[23][43]
On 26 March 2011, five MiG-23s together with two Mi-35 helicopters were destroyed by the French Air Force while parked at Misrata airport, early reports misidentified the five fixed wing aircraft as G-2 Galebs.[44]

Sukhoi Su-22 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Ground attack Sukhoi Su-22M3/UM-3K 36 One lost on 23 February 2011 as the crew of two airmen refused to follow an order to attack protesters and ejected out of their plane, which crashed near Ajdabiya, 161 kilometres (100 mi) west of Benghazi.[45]

One shot down over Benghazi on 17 March.
A number of other Su-22 are claimed as shot down by the rebels[21]

Sukhoi Su-24 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Bomber/Ground attack Sukhoi Su-24MK 2 One lost in a fire.

One reported to have been shot down outside Ra's Lanuf on 5 March 2011 by anti-Gaddafi rebels.[46]

Tupolev Tu-22 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Bomber/Ground attack Tupolev Tu-22 Unknown; at least 7 were based at Al Jufra
Soko J-21 Jastreb Flag of SFR Yugoslavia Yugoslavia Light ground attack J-21E 13
Aero L-39 Albatros Flag of the Czech Republic Czechoslovakia Light attack/trainer Aero L-39ZO 110
Aermacchi SF.260 Flag of Italy Italy Basic trainer SF.260WL/ML 19 One SF.260ML crushed under a rebel tank at Misrata Airport on 23 February 2011.[47]
Soko G-2 Galeb Flag of SFR Yugoslavia Yugoslavia Light attack/trainer G-2A-E 104 One destroyed by a French Rafale fighter at Misrata Airport on 24 March 2011.[48]
Four captured by rebels in hangar at Misrata airport.

On 26 March 2011, five Galebs together with two Mi-35 helicopters were reported destroyed by the French Air Force in the same area, but satellite images showed that the five fixed wing aircraft were MiG-23s.[44]

Yakovlev Yak-130 Flag of Russia Russia Jet trainer 6 On order (2010); Status in balance after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announces ban on arms sales to Libya.[49]
Dassault Falcon 20 Flag of France France Light transport 3
Antonov An-26 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Medium transport 10 17 February 2011: One An-26 captured by protesters in Kufra.[21]
Antonov An-32 Flag of Ukraine Ukraine Medium transport 10 10+
Antonov An-72 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Medium transport 5 Google imagery (2011) shows two aircraft parked at Mitiga airport.
Gulfstream II Flag of the United States USA Light transport 1
Dassault Falcon 50 Flag of France France Light transport 1
Ilyushin Il-76 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Heavy transport 17
Let L-410T Turbolet Flag of the Czech Republic Czechoslovakia Light utility transport 15
Lockheed C-130H Hercules Flag of the United States USA Heavy transport 10
Ilyushin Il-78 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Air-to-air refueler 4
Mil Mi-24 Hind Flag of Russia Russia Heavy attack helicopter Mi-24A/Mi-25/Mi-35 35 Three captured by Chadian rebels in the 1980s and sent to France and United States for evaluation.

Another Mi-24 shot down by anti-Gaddafi rebels in Ra's Lanuf, 6 March 2011[50]
On 26 March 2011, French Air Force reported that two Mi-35 helicopters were destroyed on the ground at Misrata Airport together with five Galebs.[44]

Mil Mi-14 Flag of Russia Russia Medium utility helicopter 12 Civil war in February and March: One captured by rebels at Benghazi[51]
Bell 206 JetRanger Flag of the United States USA Training helicopter 4
Bell 212 Twin Huey Flag of the United States USA Light transport helicopter 2 Delivered from Italy
Boeing CH-47 Chinook Flag of the United States USA Heavy transport helicopter CH-47C 20 Delivered from Italy.

According to pro-Gaddafi forces, on 10 April 2011 they shot down two in Ajdabiya.[52]

Mil Mi-8 Hip Flag of Russia Russia Medium transport helicopter 25
Mil Mi-17 Flag of Russia Russia Medium transport helicopter ? Status in balance after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announces ban on arms sales to Libya.[49]
Weaponry Origin Type Versions In service Notes
Lavochkin SA-2 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Air defence SAM 88 At least two have been reported captured by anti-government protesters and defected military units in Tobruk.
Isayev SA-3 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Air defence SAM 10
SA-5 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Air defence SAM ?
SA-6 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Air defence SAM 43

Retired Aircraft[]

References[]

  1. ↑ Military Balance 2010. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2010. p. 263. 
  2. ↑ Middle East Military Balance: Libya
  3. ↑ "The Northrop F-5 Enthusiast Page". http://home.eblcom.ch/f5enthusiast/AirForces/LibyaAF.html. Retrieved 23 March 2011. 
  4. ↑ Library of Congress Country Study Libya, Chapter 5:National Security, 1987
  5. ↑ Gordon, Yefim. Mikoyan MiG-25 Foxbat: Guardian of the Soviet Borders (Red Star Vol. 34). Hinckley, UK: Midland Publishing Ltd., 2008. ISBN 978-1857802597.
  6. ↑ Libya Opens Up Air Forces Monthly, February 2007, p. 4 & 69
  7. ↑ Libyan Mirages in Use for Pakistan AF Spares, Air Forces Monthly, June 2008 issue, p. 32
  8. ↑ http://www.economypoint.org/a/aircraft-crash-of-ustica.html
  9. ↑ Library of Congress Country Studies, Libya: Encounters with the United States, 1987
  10. ↑ Page A7, The Citizen, Ottawa, Canada, 18 February 1986
  11. ↑ Tom Cooper, Libyan Wars, 1986-1989, Part 6, Air Combat Information Group, 2003. Retrieved October 2011
  12. ↑ "THE WORLD: CHAD; NDJAMENA SENDS TROOPS INTO LIBYA". New York Times. 13 September 1987. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DEED81131F930A2575AC0A961948260. Retrieved 11 March 2011. 
  13. ↑ "Report: Libya air force bombs protesters heading for army base". Haaretz Daily Newspaper. 21 February 2011. Archived from the original on 22 February 2011. http://web.archive.org/web/20110222191732/http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/report-libya-air-force-bombs-protesters-heading-for-army-base-1.344775. Retrieved 21 February 2011. 
  14. ↑ Yasmine Ryan (21 February 2011). "Report: Libyan protesters fired on - Africa". Al Jazeera English. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/201122116042447579.html. Retrieved 21 February 2011. 
  15. ↑ "Updated: Libyan fighter jets arrive in Malta". Times of Malta. 21 February 2011. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110221/local/two-libyan-fighter-jets-arrive-in-malta-two-helicopters-land. Retrieved 21 February 2011. 
  16. ↑ "Libya pilot rejects Benghazi bombing, ditches plane". http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/6298/World/Region/Libya-pilot-rejects-Benghazi-bombing,-ditches-plan.aspx. Retrieved 25 February 2011. 
  17. ↑ "Syrian pilots said to be flying Libyan fighter jets". World Tribune. 10 March 2011. http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2011/me_libya0257_03_10.asp. Retrieved 11 March 2011. 
  18. ↑ Potter, Mitch (2 March 2011). "The Star in Libya: Rebels quash Gadhafi raid". The Toronto Star. Toronto. http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/947638--the-star-in-libya-rebels-quash-gadhafi-raid. 
  19. ↑ "Libya: Gaddafi tanks and planes attack rebel towns". BBC News. 8 March 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12673956. 
  20. ↑ http://archive.libyafeb17.com/2011/03/crowd-mourns-ali-hassan-al-jabir/
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 http://theboresight.blogspot.com/2011/03/libyan-conflict-fixed-wing-combat.html
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=121151
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Fighter jet 'shot down' over Benghazi". BBC News. 19 March 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12794589. 
  24. ↑ Xinhua, [1], 19 March 2011
  25. ↑ "Libya: French plane fires on military vehicle". BBC News. 19 March 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12795971. 
  26. ↑ "Benghazi 'bombarded by pro-Gaddafi forces'". BBC News. 20 March 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12797941. Retrieved 20 March 2011. 
  27. ↑ Sam Dagher , Adam Entous, and Keith Johnson (20 March 2011). "Allied Forces Attack Libya". Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704021504576211690643186556.html. Retrieved 20 March 2011. 
  28. ↑ "Gaddafi's air force 'defeated'". BBC News. 23 March 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12837330. Retrieved 23 March 2011. 
  29. ↑ http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4048029,00.html
  30. ↑ "UPDATE 1-French forces destroy seven Libyan aircraft on ground". Reuters. 26 March 2011. http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFLDE72P0H620110326. 
  31. ↑ http://g1.globo.com/revolta-arabe/noticia/2011/03/imagens-mostram-ataque-de-caca-belga-aeronave-na-libia.html
  32. ↑ http://theboresight.blogspot.com/2011/03/spade-is-spade-for-odyssey-dawn.html
  33. ↑ http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120110/local/Libyan-jets-set-to-return-home.401729
  34. ↑ http://tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=7920
  35. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/libya/airfields.htm
  36. ↑ "La Libye n'a plus que deux Mirage F1 en état de vol". http://www.marianne2.fr/blogsecretdefense/La-Libye-n-a-plus-que-deux-Mirage-F1-en-etat-de-vol_a142.html. Retrieved 25 February 2011. 
  37. ↑ "Libyan fighter jets arrive in Malta". http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110221/local/two-libyan-fighter-jets-arrive-in-malta-two-helicopters-land. Retrieved 25 February 2011. 
  38. ↑ http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120110/local/libyan-mirages-undergoing-overhaul.401824
  39. ↑ Potter, Mitch (2 March 2011). "The Star in Libya: Rebels quash Gadhafi raid". The Toronto Star. Toronto. http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/947638--the-star-in-libya-rebels-quash-gadhafi-raid. Retrieved 5 March 2011. 
  40. ↑ "Libya unrest – in pictures". The Guardian. London. 24 February 2011. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2011/feb/24/libya-unrest-in-pictures#/?picture=372053001&index=11. 
  41. ↑ Karam, Souhail (15 March 2011). "Libyan website reports rebels sink Gaddafi ships". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/15/us-libya-ships-newspaper-idUSTRE72E6C520110315. 
  42. ↑ http://www.newsfrommiddleeast.com/?xstart=b&new=75934
  43. ↑ "Libya crisis: war plane shot down over Benghazi". The Daily Telegraph. London. 19 March 2011. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8392375/Libya-crisis-war-plane-shot-down-over-Benghazi.html. Retrieved 20 March 2011. 
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 "UPDATE 1-French forces destroy seven Libyan aircraft on ground". Reuters Africa. 26 March 2011. http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFLDE72P0H620110326. 
  45. ↑ "Libya pilot ‘rejects Benghazi raid, ditches plane’". Dawn. 23 February 2011. http://www.dawn.com/2011/02/23/libya-pilot-rejects-benghazi-raid-ditches-plane.html. Retrieved 23 February 2011. 
  46. ↑ Sherwell, Philip (5 March 2011). "Gaddafi and rebel forces in heavy clashes in town of Zawiya". The Daily Telegraph. London. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8363927/Gaddafi-and-rebel-forces-in-heavy-clashes-in-town-of-Zawiya.html. Retrieved 6 March 2011. 
  47. ↑ http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=94933
  48. ↑ "Gadhafi's Warplane Shot Down by French Fighter Jets in Misrata". ABC. 24 March 2011. http://abcnews.go.com/International/war-libya-moammar-gadhafi-warplane-misrata-shot-french/story?id=13210685. 
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 "Russia bans arms sales to Libya". http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/03/20113107287576160.html. Retrieved 10 March 2011. 
  50. ↑ http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/06/libya-east-helicopter-idUSLDE72506H20110306%7Ctitle=Libya rebels say shoot down helicopter in east
  51. ↑ "Libya unrest: Benghazi revels in freedom from Gaddafi". BBC News. 26 February 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12588839. 
  52. ↑ Libyan Government: We Have Shot Down 2 U.S.-Built Helicopters

World Aircraft Information Files. Brightstar Publishing, London. File 337 Sheet 03

Further reading[]

  • Libyan Air Force article, Air Forces Monthly, September 2010

External links[]

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